By Dr Karli Plowright - Nomad Chiropractic Mosman
(Family Wellness Chiropractor + Exercise Scientist)
What is a Primitive Reflex?
A primitive reflex is a movement directed from the brainstem. These reflexes help us grow properly and safely; they help us with the birthing process, with breast feeding and when things get a little more sophisticated and we begin to grip things. As we grow and mature, these reflexes are no longer needed. A different part of our brain takes over as it develops and becomes more complex. This is a totally normal (and essential) part of development. Primitive reflexes should integrate - go away - typically around 12 months of age, some may be closer to two or three years old.
What is a Retained Primitive Reflex?
On the other hand a retained primitive reflex is when this reflex shows up and is used again. This can be from things such as birth trauma, a fall, developmental restrictions or stress on the body and this causes the nervous system of the body to react to certain stimuli/movements or situations inappropriately or even undesirable. This is of concern as retained primitive reflexes if not integrated can affect development, learning and/or behaviour.
The most common primitive reflexes include (and briefly how they may present):
Fear Paralysis where your child may experience withdrawal, shyness, tantrums or anxiety
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex where your child may be easily distracted, have poor coordination or have messy handwriting
Spinal Galant where your child may have difficulty sitting still or poor bladder control
Palmar Reflex where your child may experience mixing up letters, poor spelling or slouching at a desk/computer.
Juvenile Suck and Rooting Reflex where your child may experience speech/articulation or dental problems
Moro Reflex where your child may be emotionally over-reactive and over sensitive
Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex where your child may walk on their toes, have poor posture or coordination
Tonic Labrynthine Reflex is the foundation for head control. If retained your child may have low tone, slump at their desk, be a toe walker, have uncoordinated movements, difficulty reading and writing etc.
This is just a brief example of what some of them are and how they can present (more obviously during school age). So although these primitive reflexes are imperative for survival of our little ones we can see that if they don’t integrate there can be a huge knock on effect to their development and their ability to thrive at school.
Got Questions? Get in touch! Your Mosman chiropractor Karli would love to assess your child. A thorough history taking and examination is taken, including all of the above primitive reflexes. If this is something you have noticed or are concerned about, you can read more in our blogs and exercise tabs on the website or book online to be assessed.
Till next time,
Chiro Karli :)
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Book in online with your Mosman Chiropractors Lucy Bartlett, Olly Kerr, Kristin Webb and Sandy Ghobrial at www.nomadchiropractic.com.au
Located at: (Rear entry) Suite 1, 563 Military Road Mosman NSW 2088
Ph 02 9969 7503
www.nomadchiropractic.com.au
For more information on Retained Primitive Reflexes see our home exercise page: https://www.nomadchiropractic.com.au/retained-primitive-reflex-exercises
*Note: Karli Plowright moved back to WA in December 2022 and as such is no longer a practitioner at Nomad Chiropractic in Mosman. All of the practitioners at Nomad Chiropractic are trained in the above.